History YMMV / Barbie

* StockParodyJokes:
** Barbie as TheDitz or even a DumbBlonde. In canon, Barbie is treated as above-average intelligence. This portrayal, however, has made its way into ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' and ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3''. The SelfParody ''WebAnimation/BarbieLifeInTheDreamhouse'' portrays Barbie as a DitzyGenius.
** Barbie's various siblings as actually [[FamilyRelationshipSwitcheroo being her children]].
** Ken is CampGay.

* RetroactiveRecognition:
** Maureen [=McCormick=], AKA [[Series/TheBradyBunch Marcia Brady]], appeared in a few ''Barbie'' commercials during the 1960s.
** Some other celebrities who appeared in Barbie doll commercials as young children include Creator/JenniferLoveHewitt, Creator/TiaMowry and Creator/MilaKunis.

* CultClassic: Not the doll-line itself, [[CashCowFranchise obviously]], but the Direct-To-DVD movies have a solid following of nostalgic fans, due to the surprisingly good writing. Even some of the latter movies have their fans, in fact, it's outright hard to find a ''Barbie'' movie without fans.

* UnfortunateImplications:
** The 2013 Barbie book ''I Can Be a Computer Engineer'' was [[http://pamie.com/2014/11/barbie-fucks-it-up-again/ accused]] of teaching girls not to pursue technological careers, but rather that they should always get men to solve their problems, then take credit for their work. Amazon and Mattel respectively responded to the controversy by ceasing all direct sales of the book, and [[https://www.facebook.com/BarbieNAD/posts/362944293876701 promising]] to write stories with an "empowered" Barbie.
** Infamously in the 90s, "Teen Talk Barbie" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSL2-rbE9AM caused this]] due to its controversial line involving math. The actual line is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO0cvqT1tAE Math Class Is Tough!"]]. Mattel's intentions were relatabilty - [[EverybodyHatesMathematics few school kids like math]] and high school math classes ''are'' often considered hard - but parents heard it and were offended. The line either perpetuated DumbBlonde stereotypes or made it seem like all women were bad at math. A good chunk of this issue ended up being due to [[BeamMeUpScotty the line being remembered incorrectly]]. It's often said that Barbie's line was "Math is hard!", or something similar, which sounds more like it perpetuates the idea that "girls are dumb". The doll ended up recalled as a result.
** In the early 2000s, Mattel introduced the "Happy Families" line. It was [[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/barbies-pregnant-friend-yanked/ discontinued]] due to complaints that it was promoting TeenPregnancy. Midge and Alan were actually HappilyMarried and in their 20s at the time, however many people associate Barbie dolls being teenagers due to Barbie's [[ArtisticAge fluctuating age]].
** The Barbie Video Girl and Hello Barbie dolls solicited controversy upon release, as besides concerns over children's personal information being transmitted to third parties, the Video Girl doll was criticised by the FBI as a possible conduit for recording [[{{Squick}} child pornography]].
** [[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/slumber-party-barbie-diet-book_n_2245556 A notorious 1965 "Slumber Party" Barbie doll]] came with a scale permanently set at 110 lbs and a book titled "How to Lose Weight," with the back reading simply "Don't Eat!"

* AmericansHateTingle: Barbie is simply disliked by a lot of Japanese fans, due to her grown-up nature, compared to the 11-year old Japanese doll, Toys/LiccaChan, but in America? She still goes toe-to-toe with Creator/{{Mattel}} to this day. She's fared slightly better as a fashion label over there, but not by much. That hasn't stopped the movies from being dubbed into Japanese, however.

** Are you a fan of one of Barbie’s little sisters good luck finding the doll you want outside a set of ALL of the sisters. Also Skipper and Stacie have no fashion packs.

* FandomEnrangingMisconception: Barbie being portrayed as DumbBlonde by parodies tends to draw the ire of fans, since it's an ''extremely'' old joke at this point, and it tends to show up in [[ShallowParody Shallow Parodies]] to boot. In tie-in media, Barbie's generally portrayed as being a very bright girl, and these jokes tend to also ignore the fact that Barbie's been a medical doctor, an astronaut, many kinds of scientist, a judge, and other jobs one generally does not obtain by being a BrainlessBeauty. Many fans also find the joke to be a bit sexist, since it can imply that a pretty woman who likes clothes can't possibly care about anything else.

*** Not helping matters is the ‘made to move’ bodies from the yoga dolls (and collectibles) largely fix this issue. However you only get three of the four body types offered and they only come with so many faces, skin tone and hair options. Barbie Extras are also a bendable option with more unique looks (but their bodies are from an older generation).

*** Not helping matters is the ‘made to move’ bodies they give sports dolls and the ‘Barbie Extras’ line, give you bodies that move but you only get three of the four body types and so many skin tone options (unless you want to spend lots of money). While the Barbie Fashionista’s have more to choose from with more skin tones, faces, hair colors and hair types and other types of diversity kids and collectors want, they are on bodies that can’t move.

*** Not helping matters is the ‘made to move’ bodies they give sports dolls and the ‘Barbie Extras’ line, gives you bodies that move but you only get so many body and skin tone options with them. While the Barbie Fashionista’s have the body, faces, hair and skin diversity kids and collectors want, on bodies they can barely move.

** In the early 2000s, Mattel introduced the "Happy Families" line. It was [[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/barbies-pregnant-friend-yanked/ discontinued]] due to complaints that it was promoting TeenPregnancy. Midge and Alan were actually HappilyMarried and in their 20s at the time, however many people associate Barbie dolls with teenagers due to Barbie's [[ArtisticAge fluctuating age]].

*** Not helping matters is the ‘made to move’ bodies they give sports dolls and the ‘Barbie Extras’ line, gives you bodies that move but you only get so many body and skin tone options with them. While the Barbie Fashionista’s have the body and skin diversity kids and collectors want on bodies with a lack of movement.

** Not helping matters is the ‘made to move’ bodies they give sports dolls and the ‘Barbie Extras’ line, gives you bodies that move but you only get so many body and skin tone options with them. While the Barbie Fashionista’s have the body and skin diversity kids and collectors want on bodies with a lack of movement.

** Fans of the films have had mixed reception towards the 2010s changes to the series. Namely, usually portraying Barbie as a teenager instead of an adult (complete with a more youthful voice).
** The majority of the newer 2010 era dolls (particularly the fashionistas) do not have bendable legs, making it difficult for them to properly sit down. Further complicating things is their stiffer midsections and redesigned waists, allowing them to not even be able to sit up straight.

* ''YMMV/BarbieInThePrincessAndThePauper''

* RetroactiveRecognition: Maureen [=McCormick=], AKA [[Series/TheBradyBunch Marcia Brady]], appeared in a few ''Barbie'' commercials during the 1960s.

* ValuesDissonance: Among other things, Barbie's and Ken's first commercials each end with Barbie getting married.

* MemeticMutation: Duane, the OneSceneWonder of ''Barbie Dance Club'', a promotional VHS

* AmericansHateTingle: Barbie is simply disliked by a lot of Japanese fans, due to her grown-up nature, compared to the 11-year old Japanese doll, Toys/LiccaChan, but in America? She still goes toe-to-toe with Creator/{{Mattel}} to this day. She's fared slightly better as a fashion label over there, but not by much.

* ''YMMV/SecretAgentBarbie''

* ''YMMV/BarbieAndTheThreeMusketeers''

* CrossoverShip: Many kids of both genders ship Barbie with Franchise/MaxSteel. The couple was born due the popularity of both brands, but also because many fell Barbie deserved a better boyfriend than [[CampStraight Ken]], finding Max [[RatedMForManly manlier]] and [[{{Hunk}} more attractive]].